United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services Directive

4.104
June 20, 2013

PERSONAL USE OF NEW MEDIA BY WS PERSONNEL

1. PURPOSE

To establish guidance for use of new media by Wildlife Services (WS) personnel on their
personal time.

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
This is a new directive.
3. AUTHORITY

Authority to develop guidelines for use of new media by WS personnel is derived from U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Departmental Regulation 1495-001, New Media Roles,
Responsibilities and Authorities, dated May 23, 2011.

4. POLICY

a. Itis WS policy that WS personnel may responsibly engage in unofficial internet postings
about matters related to their personal experiences, interests, knowledge, and professional
expertise. Consistent with other forms of communications, WS personnel are responsible for all
content they publish on their personal social networking sites, blogs or other websites.

b. Personnel are not permitted to claim or otherwise represent that their opinion(s) or
personal new media content is officially sanctioned or officially represents the Department or its
policies. Personnel are likewise prohibited from displaying any official U.S. Government,
USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), or WS seals or logos on their
personal new media sites.

5. BACKGROUND

WS supports APHIS and the Department in using official new media outlets to communicate
with the public about Government programs and activities. This Directive is intended to provide
employees with guidance when utilizing new media in their personal capacity in order to avoid
any appearance of representing or acting on behalf of WS, APHIS, or USDA.


Wildlife Services 4.104 page 2
6. DEFINITIONS

a. New Media: Technologies (mobile and web-based tools and applications) that facilitate
social interactions/activities among people; examples of new media outlets are YouTube,
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

b. Public Trust Activities: Activities in furtherance of the public’s interest and investment
in natural and agricultural resources.

c. Social Networking: Activities that include, but are not limited to blogs, photograph and
video sharing services, geospatial mapping tools, discussion forums, and wikis.

c. WS Personnel: Any Federal employee, State employee, student intern, or volunteer
working under the auspices of a WS-sanctioned program.

7. IMPLEMENTATION

a. Itis important that all WS personnel are mindful of the implications of statements made
using social media, and in online conversations, that make reference to the USDA, APHIS or WS
programs. WS personnel are potentially viewed as spokespersons and should be aware that the
USDA, APHIS or WS may be held responsible or accountable for their behavior, statements and
opinions in that capacity.

b. Personnel who engage in social networking and identify themselves as employees of WS,
or who have public-facing positions and are readily associated with WS programs, must evaluate
their social networking profiles — including those maintained for personal use — to ensure that
any content that is posted is consistent with their status as a WS professional engaged in public
trust activities.

c. When using new media in an unofficial or personal capacity, WS personnel shall not:

(1) Post or share content that may leave the reader with the impression that the
employee’s statements or material represent the official or unofficial position of the USDA,
APHIS or WS programs. To the extent that any content could be misconstrued as representing
the official or unofficial position of USDA, APHIS or WS, the employee must post a
conspicuous disclaimer that indicates the content and opinions expressed are solely those of the
poster and do not reflect the positions of the USDA, APHIS, or WS.

(2) Post or share material that shows WS uniform components, logos, trademarks, or
other materials that identify or belong to WS, WS partners, or cooperators.

(3) Engage in political activity prohibited under the Hatch Act, including but not limited
to, soliciting, accepting, or receiving political contributions or hosting, inviting others to, or
sponsoring a political fundraiser.


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(4) Engage in non-political fundraising that involves solicitations on behalf of third
parties that seek official USDA action; conduct business with USDA; engage in activities
regulated by USDA; or, have interests that may be substantially affected by the performance or
nonperformance of a Federal employee’s official duties.

(5) Post or share any agency-related information that is not already considered public
information. The discussion or sharing of non-public information is strictly prohibited; the
prohibition extends to discussing or sharing information that through malfeasance is in the public
domain.

(6) Post or share photographs taken or documents developed, during the course of their or
their colleagues’ official duty, unless that photograph or document has been previously released
through official channels.

(7) Post or share information that is prohibited from disclosure pursuant to Section 1619
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 or any Federal statute, regulation, or policy.

(8) Receive compensation from a non-Federal source for teaching, speaking, or writing
that relates to that employee’s official duties.

8. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to WS personnel.
9. REFERENCES

a. Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No.110—234, §1619, 122 Stat.
923, 1022-23 (2008).

b. U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of
the Executive Branch (July 2011).

hth fF.
William H. Clay COA —

Deputy Administrator